. 		.
.




LCD Panel
Controllers


PCI Bridge
Solutions


USB/1394
Solutions


Mobile
Solutions

D R I V E R S


  • USB Card Drivers

    OPTi Technologies USB controllers are supported directly by built-in drivers in the Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows 2000 operating systems, as well as by the Apple Mac OS (click here for Mac drivers from Apple). OPTi Technologies USB is not supported under Windows 95, and no drivers are available to add that support. The latest versions of Linux also include OPTi Technologies USB support, although we have not yet completed testing of the OHCI USB drivers for Linux.

    Please note that while the OPTi Technologies USB controller chips are used by several companies in their USB card designs, we do not make the actual USB cards or systems. So if our information below does not help, you might also want to contact the company that made your equipment.

    Common Problems Installing USB Cards

    Please check out the Frequently Asked Questions section on our Support page for USB problems.

    Audio Card Drivers

    OPTi Technologies sold its audio chipset business in 1997. Please keep in mind that even prior to 1997, OPTi Technologies never made sound cards. We previously sold chips for these cards to other companies, who are responsible for providing and updating drivers. OPTi Technologies does not offer any audio drivers. If you need technical support or drivers, you will need to contact the company that made your sound card.

    ¡@



    If cannot locate a driver from your card manufacturer, we strongly recommend that you install a PCI-based audio card. They are readily available for under $30 (often under $20).

    Linux Drivers: Check out www.opensound.com.

    Graphics Card Drivers

    OPTi Technologies provides generic drivers as listed below for its older VGA display products. Contact the manufacturer of your system for more up-to-date drivers.

    OPTi Technologies 92C178

    Operating System File Name Date Size
    Windows 95 OPTi Technologies 178.zip 3/3/98 43KB
    Windows NT 4.0 OPTi Technologies .zip 4/29/98 112KB

    OPTi Technologies 82C264

    Operating System File Name Date Size
    Windows 95 OPTi Technologies 264.zip 4/15/98 41KB
    Windows NT 4.0 OPTi Technologies .zip 4/29/98 112KB


    IDE Controller Drivers

    OPTi Technologies does not provide drivers for its IDE controllers, since they use the standard drivers found in Windows that are loaded automatically during Windows installation.

    It is common for users to somehow change the system such that the "!" symbol is shown next to the OPTi Technologies IDE entry in Device Manager. Unfortunately, due to a quirk of Windows, it may not be possible to reinstall the driver individually.

    If you are trying to reinstall Windows 95, you must also obtain original installation files from your desktop or notebook manufacturer, as Windows 95 did not contain adequate driver information for the OPTi Technologies 82C558 or 82C621 IDE controllers.

    You MUST completely reinstall Windows from the installation CD to correct the problem. Our recommendation is to upgrade to Windows 98 SE (second edition) if possible. This version of Windows contains all the necessary drivers, and since the original manufacturer files are not needed, your installation will be trouble free.

    FOR THE TECHNICALLY MINDED

    A workaround for the "single fifo" problem is discussed below. Other problems are generally due to differences between motherboard designs and BIOS setups, or other device conflicts which are unrelated to the basic function of the OPTi Technologies chipset. The resolution of these conflicts is beyond the scope of OPTi Technologies to address and will require the end-user to contact the motherboard manufacturer for support.

    Windows 98 does not correctly recognize that the Viper IDE controller supports dual FIFO function for both IDE channels. When it is installed, Windows detects the IDE controller as "OPTi Technologies OPTi Technologies 826612A or Viper-M/N + Dual PCI IDE". You can verify this by:

    1. Opening the Control Panel
    2. Double clicking on the System icon
    3. Clicking on the "Device Manager" tab
    4. Double clicking on the "Hard disk controllers".
    You will note that the primary and secondary controllers are displayed as being "single fifo".

    To work around this, you first need to modify a file named MSHDC.INF:

    1. Open the Windows Explorer
    2. Open the "Windows\Inf" folder (it's hidden - you need to set Folder OPTi Technologies ons to display hidden folders in order to see it)
    3. Find Mshdc.inf and double click on it (this will open it in Notepad)
    4. Using search, find "OPTi Technologies 826612A"
    5. Note that on the same line there is the following: "DUAL_BAD_IDE"; change this to "DUAL_GOOD_IDE"
    6. Save and close the file.
    Next, you need to delete the hard disk controller from the Device Manager:
    1. Open the Control Panel
    2. Double click on the System icon
    3. Click on the "Device Manager" tab
    4. Double click on the "Hard disk controllers"
    5. Highlight "OPTi Technologies OPTi Technologies 826612A or Viper-M/N + Dual PCI IDE" and delete it
    6. Reboot.
    When it restarts, Windows will detect the controller and install the driver for it. This time, it will know that the controller is capable of dual FIFO operation. You can verify this by returning to the control panel and checking the "Hard disk controller". The primary and secondary controllers should now display "dual fifo".




    Company and product names herein carry various trademarks of their respective companies.

    Copyright 2001 OPTi Technologies    , Inc. All rights reserved.